Chiropractic table



Mar. 13,1923. v

w. G. WILLIAMS,-

. GHIROPRACTIC TABLE Filed July 18, 1921 4 sheets-sheet 2 w. G. WILLIAMS lc'HIRoBRAcTI TABLE Man-134, 1923.v

Filed July 1e, 1921 i sheets-sheet. s

. Fil..

Patented Mar. i3, l

WILLIAM GRANTWILLIAMS, or E LelN, I LLINOrS', AssIeNoa To THE' Winnaars Mrs. Co., Inc., or nrcan, ILLrNors, A eoRPonnToN 0F LILirrIrToI-s;

CHIROPRACTIC TABLE.

Application e'd-Jp1155- 1 6, 1 92-1. Serial No. 4.855670:

To @ZZ whom it vmay concern Be it known that I, v'VrLLrAM G. WILLTAMS, citizen of the United States, residing at Elgin, in the county of Kane and State or Illinois, have invented certain new and. useful .Improvement-s in Chiropractic Tables; and l hereby declare ythat the following lis a full, clear,v and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accon'ipanying drawings, which form `part otthis speciiication.

This invention is an. improvement in sur:- gical operating tables, ,particularly designed Jfor use by chiropractors. The invention prov vides a strong, durable, adjustable table which can be readily arranged to support the patient in any desired position for being operated upon.

The principal objects of the-invention are to provide novel means for adjusting the abdominalsupporting cushion whereby the same may be either .held rigid or can be yieldingly supported With morev or less -resistance by suitablesprings; to providernovel means for adjusting theyleg cushion.;` to.pre.- vide novel means for adjusting the head cushion and to provid/ea novel. strong frame; Other minor objects and novel featuresv of the-inventionwill be hereinafter set torth.

l will explain the invention. Withfreference tothe accompanying drawingsmhich illus.- ti-ateone practical':chiropraicticftable-ernbodyf ing the invention and will enab-l'eothers to lully understand 'the,innen tiony and., adapt au d use the Same; but I do not consider the in.- vention restricted to the arrangement of parts illustrated ina the `drawings. and; there.- tore refer to: the appended claims for summaries-of the essentials et the invention, and the novel Afeatures of constructionV and novel combination of parts therein, for all of which, protection is: desired.

In the drawings: y

Figure l .is a side elevation of the com.- plete machine.

Fig. 2 is a. top plan view .thereof With the cushions removed.

3 is an enlargedy longitudinalsectional; view showing the devices for adjustingthe head, chest andabdominal cushions.

Fig,` l isv a detail transverse section) on the line Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is aA detail transversesection. on the line 57,5, Fig. 3..

. Fig, 6 is a vhorizontal sectional View on lined-6 ,l`ig- 3. n

Fig, 7 .is anenl'arged.. lo ngitudnal` vSSC- tional view of the devices for adjustingthe legir cushion. n Fig. 8 is a detailof theleg cushion. adjust,- ing devices.

Fig. 9 is a detail View .of partei the main frame.

The table main frame .is preferably com.- posed of four uprights. or cerner standards l, ,preferably cast, each of which is provided with a .socket at its lower end. for the recep:n

tion of a leg` member 12, which may bemade et the proper length to give the tableV the desired. height, and. maybe fastenedto the standard. by a set screw 1b. The standards are also provided with side sockets lcfor the reception` of side ,bars vorrods 1d Which may be secured inthe sockets any suitable manneigas by set screws le; and .the side bars beingymade of the .lengthdesircd for the frame.

The adjacent standards 1. at the ,foot end of the table are connected by tier rodslp about in. line with. the side bars ld'afnd preferably fastened to. the standards; andthe upper ends of the ,standards l at the foot end of the table may .be rconnected by tie rod l". The upper ends of thestandards. l at thehead end of the table are connected by a tie rod l, below which are tie ,rOdsli and rlhis construction makes a substantial; drin and rigid frame.

The table as shown has four cushion sections mounted upon. the traine as fheren after explained. The head cushion A may be Constructed. Substantially as4 shown ,in my application filed December 11,1920, Serial No. 429,962. The head cushion may be made in two SQCtions adjustable to vandrom each other as explained. inmy, said application and this construction needs no vdetailed explanation herein. As shown herein -it is supported 0n a metal frame 2 which is hingedly supported at one endl uponx the tie rodlh.

The frame 2 can be adjustably supported at any desired inclination by means of a bar 2b the upper end of which ispivotallycon.- nected to a rod. 2f?. at the outer endof the frame ,2 and the lower end of this bar 21 is curved and. overlies the rod lijconnect'ed to the head standards 1.andthecurvedportion of the bar 2b passing through a slotted guide 3;, whichl maybe formed integral with a sleeve 3a mounted on the rod li and capable of rocking thereon.

The guide 3 is provided with an outwardly i the framecan be readily varied by shifting y 4verse the bar 2l so as to bring different notches Q@ intoengagement with pin 3d. They guide 3 may beheld in normal position or rocked so as to cause the notches 2 to be held in engagement with the end'3d of rod 3e by any suitable means; a spring 3fbe1ng indicated'in the drawings;

The lower end of the rod 3e is pivotallyconnected to one arm 8a of al double arml lever Sir-8b which is fastened to atransy shaft 'lm journaled in bearings in the head standards l `(see Figs. 3-5). On the outer end of this rod 1m are double armed pedal levers 8c and Sd. By de- ,the end 3UL of rod 3 from pressing one or the `other ends of these pedal levers the rod 1m can be rocked to the right orleft. By rocking the rod to the left the sleeve 3 would be rocked so as to disengage bar 2b and then the head cushion may be adjusted to the desired inclination and the proper notch 2 reengaged with the end 3d of the rod 3, locking it in the desired ady justed position.

rIhe chest CushionB may be of any desired construction and is hingedly supported on vthe rod l*h by vmeans of hinge members 4 loosely hinged on the rod l and fastened to the underside ofthe cushion B. vCushion B' may Vrest upon inclined bracket arms l1' on: the upper ends s '(see Fig. 3-)7 but when the .abdominal cushion .is raised above arms 1j, kthe chest cushion B will rest upon the bars 4X which hingedly connect the abdominal cushion C to the Vrod 1h.

" The abdominal 'cushion C may be of. any

desired construction, and is hingedlycon-l nected to the-7 rod 1h by lmeans of bars 4C".y

` Novel means are provided whereby this abdominal cushion may be adjusted-at any de;

` sired inclination relative to the r,franue, and

whereby it may be' supported` when so `adj usted either rigidly or yieldingly. In sonic `cases it is desirable to have the cushion' C yieldable to pressure, and in other cases it is desirable to have the cushion rigid; depending upon the nature of the treatment to be givenv tothe patient.

yAs shown in thedrawingsto 'the under-- side of the cushion C is 'attached an inverted U-shape'd casting or hanger 4 which isI pro`` vided with depending ears la at its 'opposite upper end 3 isadapted to'be the notch in the of the head standards l ends inv which are journaled a longitudinal rodor shaft 4b, which is rotatable but longitudinally immovably connected'with the hanger 4C. This shaft lb is provided with a notch 4C adapted to be engaged by a pawl il pivotally connected toa sleeve casting or member 4i@ slidably mountedV on the shaft 4*. A suitable spring may be provided for normally pressing the tooth of the dog into engagement' with the notch ic when the parts are in position to permit such engagement` (see Fig. 3). As shown a spring 4f is interposed between slide le.

To the slide 4e isV pivotally connected the upper end of a bar 5, the'lower end of which` is pivotally connected to the lower ends of ysuspending straps 6, the -upper ends of which are hung upon thel rod lh.' The lower ends of straps 6 convergefand are yconnected together by bolts 6a and'?. rlhe bolt 6b passes through a slot 5b in the lower end of the bar 5, and washers 6? are strung `on bolt 6b between the ends of the straps 61 and the end of the bark 5. Bolt 6" clamps the bar and rod 'together while permitting relative swingingmovements of the bar and the links 6; and slot 5l is preferably provided to permit accurate ustment'of the'cushion C but l do not-consider the slot 5"L essential. There is no longitudinal play of the barI 5 on the slot 6b' when the latter is'- properly tightened, but. said bolt forms a hinge connection between thebar 5 and the link 6.

The bar l5 is provided on its under side thetail `ofthe dog and the witha series of notches 5a which are adaptu ed to be engaged by a tooth y5c on a slidable member or casting' 5e which loosely engages the underside of th'ebar 5 and can be slid undersidev of the bar 5. The .slide is heldin position with its tooth engaged with the bar by means of helical springs 5j which are connected at their lower ends to opposite sides of thefslide- 5*? andat their upper ends to `linlrs 5k hung on rod lh (see Fig. 3 5).

'In the normal adjustmentof the parts7 a shown. in Fig. 3, the dog id engages the `notches4 in shaft 4b and consequently 'slide 4C 1s locked against longitudinal movement on v vthe Ashaft 4b and in such position .thev parts 4*, ab, v5i-:and 6 form a substantial rigid triangular frame supportingthe Acushion C. This triangular frame may be heldin vario-us pro` sitions, so as to support thecushion C at yany desired angle, by meansV of f a-preferably curved and notched barb, which is vpivotally connectedv at one end .to the'bolt 6a, and is guided ina casting 7 vsomewhat similarl to ycasting 3., having a sleeve 7? mounted 'upon the rod 1k parallel with but below the rod 11, (see Figs. 35)'. The barcisv provided with 4notches 6e in its lower side any oneof which may be engaged withl the end 7 of a rod 7 a, the end 7c of this rod passing through an extension 7b of the casting 7 (see Fig. 3) the other end of rod 7d is connected to an arm 8b of the rocking lever 23a- 8b mounted on the vrod lm as above described. y

The spring y3f as shown connects the eX- tensions 25g-7b of the guide member 3 and 7C. When the rodl lm is rocked to the right, F ig. 3, the end 7 c of the rod 7d is disengaged from the notches in bar 6c, then the abdomt` nal cushion'may be swung up or down and .vhen broughtto the proper position the proper notch in bary 6 may be reengaged with the rod 7d, and the abdominal cushion locked in that position.

When the parts are arranged as shown in Fig. 3,"the abdominal cushion and the chest cushion are rigidly or unyieldingly supported; but obviously they may be so supportedr in any number of angular positions, according to the number of notches and length of the bar 6.

It is frequently desired to have the cushion C yieldingly supported in its angularly adjusted positions. F or this purpose the dog 4d may be disengaged from the notch el@ to permit the member 4c@ toslide freely upon the bar 4b, and then the cushion will be upheld yieldingly by the springs 5j. The dog can be readily disengaged from the notch in. shaft 4b by turning the shaft so that the notch is moved out of engagement with the dog 4d, and the'tooth of the dog then rests upon a smooth plain surface of the shaft and can inoveffreely back and forth; if sutiicient pressure is applied upon the cushion C to overcome resistance of the springs 51'. Any suitable means may be used for disengaging the do but for convenience I prefer the devi'ces s own in the drawings.

In the construction shown (seeFigs. 3 and l) the shaft 4b is provided with an upstanding pin 45* which is engaged bythe eye or loop et" of a rod 4i. lying transversely of and below the cushion C and supported in the bars 4X. The eye 4 may be supported in a slot or groove 4J in the end of the U-shaped hanger casting 4. By pulling' the rod di in one direction the shaft 4b' will be turned so that-the notch 4c. will be in position to beengaged by the dog 4d, in which position the cushion' C isl rigidly locked (as in Fig. pulling the rod 4i to the opposite position the shaft is turned so that the not-ch 4 is moved out of position to be engaged by the dog d and the latter can slide freely upon the smooth surface of the shaft 4b. Then the cushion is yieldingly supported by the springs 55. When suiiicient pressureis applied on the cushion to depress it theslide le moves to the right.

Bumper rings 415 of rubber or othersui'table 4material may be strung upon the shaft 4 in position to cushion the extreme movements of the slide le on the rod.

The' strength or" the springs 5 or the amount of pressure which they will exert in resisting pressure of cushion can be varied by adjusting the slide 5 up or down on lthe bar 5, thus changing the point of operative connection of the springs 5J' with the bar 5 and bringing it closer to or rther from the pivot connecting the bar to the slide se. The nearer the springs are adjusted toward the pivot 'the greater will be the resistance that the springs ofer to depression ofthe cushion.

mountedion the front standards if desired beneath the head cushion A as indicated in Figs. l and 3.

The leg cushion D, Figs. l and 7 may be of any desired construction and hingedto the foot standards in any desired way. As shown it is provided with parallel rods 9X slidably engaged with sleeves 9 forming the sides of a framescasting, (Figs 2 and 7) the sleeves 9 being connected at their outerends by a cross piece 9, and at their inner ends by a yoke 9b. The sleeves 9 are pivotally supported upon the tie rod l to the upper end of the rear luprights l of the' inain frame (see Figs2and7);

Yolre 9b has a downwardly curved eXtension 9, theI lower extremity Vof which is connected by a bolt 9d tothe upper end of a bar l0. Preferably the bolt 9d'isprovided with a washer 9e and the bar l0 with aslot 10e so as to permit more accurate adjustment of the cushion to normal position.

The bar l0 slides through a guide ll which has ka sleeve ll mounted on the tie rod lp; this guide being similar to the guides 3 and 7 above referred to. The bar l() has a series o f notches 10b in its under side any one of which may be engaged with the upper end'll6l of afrod ll@ connectedgto the guide (seevFigs. 7 and 8). The lower end 'of rod lle is connected to a crank arm l2 on a; rod l2 journaled in bearings in the foot standards l below the rod lp. pedal levers 12b on its ends by which it can be manipulated by the foot. The sleeve ll and shaft l2 are normally held in raised position, so as to engage the pin lid with the notches and bar l0, by any suitable means. A spring 13 is shown in the drawing suspended. from the tie rod l onwhich the sleeves 9 are mounted. y

vIt is obvious from Fig. 7 that the cushion D could be set at any desired inclination relative tothe frame by rst disengaging pin 11d from the bar lOthen adjusting the cushion and permitting the pin to reengage the proper notch 10b in the bar.

The cushion D may be adjused longitudinally of the sleeves 9, and may be locked inadjusted yposition by a thumb screw 9i A hand or shelter cushion E may be Bod l2 carries tapped through one vof the sleeves anden,h gagging the rod 9X.l The slots l0,in bar l() and b in bar 5 are provided to enable the 'cushions B and Cftobe adjustedin exact 'alinement when in normalpositio-n. These cushions should bein direct alinement with 'by the j notchedbars permit this `each other horizontally when the table is in normal position, and the said slots and bolts alinement to be obtained if for any reason adjusting the cushions and() 5 and l0 wouldy not v bringl them into exact alinement. ll donot yhowever consider such slots essential..

' be adjusted by i inclinations` and relative positions The advantages` of thewinvention yandr v utility the ytableivill be readily ,apprel c-iated by chirojviractics 'and physicians. The

leg, abdominal, chest and head cushions can the operatorto any desired l according to the treatment` the patient is to'have.

- The abdominalcushion can be lockedrig'- idly in adjusted position by engaging the pavvl la with the notch le as 1 3; or by turning this shaft so that the pavvl will not engage the notch. vThe cushion@ Willnbe yieldingly supported bythe springs adjustment,

member., and

5j the tension of these s i'inO's and resistf `ance-rv` of the cushion to depression 'being regulable .byA adjusting` the slide 5e as above explained. j

The capability 'of the .various'partsjfor themeans for adjusting same, and the operation ofsuch parts have all been e hereinbeforeclearly set forth and therefore are not repeated here. j

l claim:A i

i. ln a table of the character specified, a

frame,a cushion hinged to .said frame, a

member slidablyjconnected with said cushion,a supporting` bar connected with said l 'means for adjusting .theposition 'of the bartovary the inclination ofthe cushion with spring means adapted to supnvr portthe cushion yieldingly when the sliding member is free to move, and means for lockingv the sliding member to hold the `cushion Y rigidly in adjusted position.

f rotatable vShaftuPOn which Said 1.Sleeve is mounted/said shaft having a notch, a dog on the sleeve adapted to engage the `notchin the shaft when the'parts are inV one-.relative position and to be disengaged from ithe notch when the parts arein another relative position, substantially as described. ,l j

Af.. `In mechanism as setfor'th vin claim 1,

a slide on said bar to Whichthe supporting 4spring meansis connected, said `slide being indicated in Fig."

forth` in claim l,

adjustable on said bar to varyvthe-tension of thev spring means.v`

o. ln mechanismasset` forth in claim l,

, cushion adjusting mechanism, anotched barv Vconnected to the cushion, a rockingguide for said bar 4.provided with Ymeans to engage the bar and lock the same, andmeans for rocking the guidetorelease the bar.

ln mechanismias `set ferth in claim l, cushionk adjusting mechanism, a notched barv connected tothe cushion, ajrocking: vguide forsaid bar provided with means toengage the bar vand loci; lthe same, and means,` for rocking the guideto release vthebar, a pedal andconnections for rockingthe guide, and

a spring for returning .the guide to normal i. ln a table oftheYcharaffixter` specified, a

frame, a cushion hinged .toy said frame, a

meinl'ier slidably connectedvvith vsaid .cushion, a vbar connected With said slidable .mem'

ber, va link pivotally connected -tosaid bai' and means lfor adjustingv thelinclination of thecushion; with springs adapted to sup-` port the cushion yieldingly when the sliding member lis free to move andmeans vorjlocking' the sliding memberagainstf longitudinal movement to hold the cushion immovably in adjusted position.

8. In mechanismas set vforth in claifnfi shaft upon which the 'slidabljey tmember` is' slidably mounted, and means whereby the sleeve may `be locked to the-shaftlor permit- I ted toy-freelyslide thereon."4 j v. u 9. 'In mechanism asfset lforthin claim. 7

the slidable member'comprising la sleeve, `a

rotatable shaftk uponf which', said. sleeve is mounted, said shaftvhaving a notch, a dog on the sleeve yadapted to engage the notchin l tlieshaft ivhentheparts arev in one relative position and to be disengaged from the notch 4 when the parts are'in another relative posi-V l tion..

l0. Inmechanism 'as set Aforthgin claim 7 theslidable member 'comprising a'sleeve, ay

rotatablev shaft upon whichl said. sleevefi's mounted, said shaft havinga-notch, a .dog

on thel sleeve adapted to engage the 'notch in the shaft when the shaftlifs "turned toene position and t'o be disengaged froml the-notch whenthe shaft isturned to another position, and means for rotatably adjusting the shaft.

, liflnmechanism. as set vforth inclaim 7,

cushion adjustingv .mechani`sm,A a notched bar connected to thecushioma rocking guide for said bar provided With means to engage the bar.v and locl the same, and means for rocliinfrthe z@guide to release the bai".v y

12. In mechanism asset forth in `claim 7, cushion .adjusting mechanism, a notchedbar connected to the cushion, a rocking guide for said bar provided withmeans to engage the barand lock the same, andmeans for rocking-the guide to release the bar, a pedal and connections j for rocking thefguide, anda ing the same for adjusting the parts to varyk the inclination of the cushion.

14. In va table of the .characterv specified in cla-im 13, springs connected-with the slida-ble bar adapted .to support the cushion yieldingly -whenthe sliding member is free to move, and means for locking the-sliding member against'4 longitndinaly movement to hold the cushionl -immovablyin adjusted position.

15. In a table of the character specified, a frame, a cushionhinged to said frame, a member fslidably `connected 'af'it-h said cushion, a vbar .connected with' the said slidable member at one end, suspending links pivotally connected to the lower ends of said bar, and means to vary the inclination ofthe cushion; with springs connected with the slidable bar adapted to support thev cushion yieldingly when the sliding member is free to move," and means for locking the sliding member against longitudinal movement to hold the cushion immovably in adjusted position.

16. In mechanism as set forth in claim 15, the slidable member comprising a sleeve, a shaft upon which the sleeve is slidably mounted, and means whereby the sleeve may be locked to theshaft or permitted to freely slide thereon.

17. In mechanism as set forth in claim 15, the slidable member comprising a sleeve, a shaft upon which the sleeve is slidably mounted and means whereby the sleeve may be locked to the shaft or permitted to freely slide thereon. Y

18. In'mechanism as set forth in claim 15, cushion adjusting mechanism, a notchedy bar connected to the cushion, a rocking guide for said bar provided with means to engage the bar and lock the same, and means for rocking the guide to release the bar.

19. In mechanism as set forth in claim 15, cushion adjusting mechanism, a notched bar connected to the cushion, a rockingv guide for said bar provided with means to engage the bar and lock the same, and means for rocking the guide to release the bar, a pedal and connections for rocking the guide, and a spring for returning the guide to normay position.

20. In mechanism as set forth in claim 15, a notched bar connected to the suspending links, a rocking guide for said bar, a member on the guide adapted to 'engage the notches in the bar to lock the same and Vnear its other end adapted to engage the means for rocking theguide to. disengage the devicefrom vthe bar. j I

21. In mechanism as setforth in claimrl, a curved notched bary connected with the links, a slotted roclringguide for said vibar, a rod connectedwith the'guideto engage the notches in Vthe bar, a pedal actuated 'leyer connected with saidrod .for rocking the guide and a spring for returning the guide to normal rockingposition. H

22. Inmechanism as set forth in claim 15, a member slidably connected with the 'bar and having a tooth nea-r one end adapted to engage notches inthe bar and a-fulcrum edge of the bar, the fulcrum vend of the slide being connected with the springs whereby@ the jbar is upheld, and thev tension v`of the springs being regulated byslippingthe slideon the-bar. f

:23. In cushion adjusting mechanism, a notched bar connected tothe cushion, a `rocking guide for saidy bar yprovided with means to eng-age the bar and lock `the same, a pedal and connections for rocking the guide', and a'rspring for returning' the guide to normal position. i I

24. In cushion yadjusting mechanism, a notched bar connected to the cushion, a rocking guidefor said bar provided with means to engage the bar and lock the same, and means for rockingthe guide to release the bar.

25'. In mechanism as set forth, a bar havf [ing notches', a member slidably connected be rocked to bring the notch into position to kbe engaged by the dog or out of position to be engaged therewith.

27. In combination a hinged member, a i

bracket attached thereto, a rock shaft mounted in said bracket having `ay notch, a slide mounted on. the shaft, dog on the slide adapted to engage the notch, an arm on the shaft, and va laterally movable rodv engaging said arm whereby the shaft may be rocked to bring the notch into position to be engaged by the dog or out of position to be engaged therewith.

28. In a table for the purpose specified, the combination with a hinged cushion supporting frame, a bar connected therewith, a guide for the bar, a detent on the guide adapted to `engagethein'otches `in the -vbarito llock the saule,v and *or'r'o'clring the 'guide to engage ordisengage the member from the notched bar. i Q9; In a cushion `for thepurposespeciied,

the vcombination with a hinged cushion' `supporting `,Inemlo'ergH a notched har connected v therewith,' arocking guide for the bar,"a

guide rand adapted one direction to dieengage Vthe'i-loar, and springlmeans for ymoving;theguide `in the vopposite direction to engage theloar.

30. In la table of thegcharacterspecied,

i #I the combination of a main `.fffiui'ie, a cushion f supporting-frame :pivotally mounted thereonv havir'igy Sleeyeson 'each "side,` rods mount-- ed inl said sleeves anda cushion connected to ``said' rodsl to he `adj ustable vflongitudina'lly f offthe Sleeve, a bar connected `With'feaidl sleeve,v a: guide 4tor Athe han'` a' detent oni the guide ladapted to engagethenotches in the har to lock the same, and means for' rock or dieengage the i member from the notched ybar.y

ing ,the guide to engage 31. L Inva cushion for the purpose Specified\l ya pedal actuated `means the combinationiwith hinged cushion supporting; member, a curved notched bar vconv nected herewith, a yslotted rocking guidev for -the bar', a rod having one end connected n with vthe guide and' adapted'to engage the f notcheein ythe bar and a pedal actuated leyerfconnected with 'the other yend of said 'rod for moving the'lguide in one direction to disengage thebar, andspring ymeans for .oving .thefguide yin the opposite direction ff to engage the hanf l .f u

i 32. In a table of the' character specfied thel combinationv of. a mainl frame, ay cushion supporting yframe pivotally'l mounted there'- yto 'said rodstol be adjustable longitudinally yoi Athe sleeve,V a bar" connectedwith `said sleeve; a guide for theloar, a4 detention the har to lock the saine, apedalactuated ymeans for rocking thelguide to disengage the 'memmember engaged With the bar.

Inl testimony that I` aiix my signature."

as my own ,1

GRANT WILLIAMS. s'

i WILLIAM I claim the". foregoing' on having sleeves on each side,krodsmount `ed in said sleeves' and a cushion connected guide"adapted toVv engage the-notches inthe Y .ber from the notched bar, and springimeans n vfor rocking the guide to normally hold'f-the 

